Natalie was 29 years old when the car she was a front seat passenger in was involved in a road traffic collision in 2016. Despite the other three passengers walking away from the accident unhurt, Natalie was seriously injured and, in an instant, her life changed forever.
Natalie was left with a broken neck at C6-C7, tetraplegic and in need of 24 hour care. With three young boys, aged 9, 6 and 5, Natalie’s life-changing injuries had a huge impact on the whole family. She suddenly found herself needing support with everyday living, as well as caring for her children.
When our serious injury expert, Claire Pilsworth, first met Natalie it was clear straight away that their two-storey house was not suitable for her needs. She could no longer get upstairs and do simple things like read to her children in their bedrooms. The living room had to be converted to Natalie’s bedroom and the need for round the clock care and specialist equipment didn’t leave much space for family time.
Following a successful trial we secured funds to ensure Natalie’s needs are met for the rest of her life and that her children will be taken care of until they reach adulthood. This was a huge relief to Natalie as all she ever wanted was security for her and her young family.
Looking to an adapted future
The funds meant that Claire and Natalie’s case manager, Diane Kelly could work closely with Idapt Design, a company specialising in creating accessible environments for injured people and their families. They are currently in the process of designing a forever home for Natalie and her family, which will be fully accessible.
Natalie has been at the heart of the design process for her new property, which she hopes to move into later this year. In the new property, there will be a specially adapted outbuilding for Natalie to work on her rehabilitation and physiotherapy sessions, helping her gain strength every day. There will also be more space for her carers, so they have space to unwind and rest meaning they can utilise all the time they have with Natalie.
When Natalie and her sons, now 14, 11 and 10 are able to move into her adapted home, they’ll be able to enjoy much more quality time together. Natalie said “I believe this will improve my children’s lives as we will be able to spend family time together in the lounge.”
Idapt Design will still be on hand to support the family as they settle in and become accustomed to the new technology that will enhance her quality of life.
Thanks to her strength and determination to work hard at her rehabilitation programme, Natalie has come a long way since her life-changing injuries. She can now apply her own makeup and brush her hair; these simple acts are the start of her journey to regaining a good quality of life for herself and her family.
Claire said “Prior to her accident, Natalie was very proud of her independence and strength as a single mum; she thought it was important to show her boys that you worked for a living. Despite all she has been through in the past four years and a half years she is determined that her boys will have the same quality of life she always wanted, even though she now needs a little more help to achieve that. I’m so proud of Natalie and her ability to stay positive.”
Natalie is looking forward to the future and says “I can’t wait to make new, happy memories with my sons, as I feel as though I’ve not had much excitement or experience with them recently. I’m looking forward to being a more hands-on mum again.”
We’re proud to be supporting Natalie on this exciting chapter in her life and look forward to following her journey as she moves into her adapted forever home.
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